Map Town

Fun Fact Friday: Samuel de Champlain
Did you know that Samuel de Champlain, often called the “Father of New France,” was not only an explorer but also one of North America’s first great mapmakers?

In 1608, Champlain founded Quebec City, making it one of the oldest European settlements in Canada. During his travels, he carefully mapped vast areas of eastern Canada, including parts of the Great Lakes and the Ottawa River, creating maps that helped shape future exploration and settlement.

His detailed journals and maps provided some of the earliest written descriptions of the land, waterways, and Indigenous peoples of the region, making him one of Canada’s most important historical explorers.

Fun Fact: Many of Champlain’s maps were so accurate that they remained valuable references for explorers and cartographers for decades after they were created!

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With summer just around the corner, many organizations are planning team-building activities, while families are organizing camping trips, reunions, and outdoor adventures.

Consider introducing a skill that is both practical and engaging: map and compass navigation.

Learning to navigate using a topographic map and compass is a unique, hands-on activity that encourages communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. It offers a refreshing break from screens and technology while helping participants build confidence in the outdoors.

Whether you’re planning a corporate team-building afternoon, a youth group outing, or a family camping weekend, map and compass skills are accessible to people of all ages and abilities.

MapTown offers print-on-demand topographic maps and SILVA compasses, making it easy to create an outdoor learning experience that’s both memorable and rewarding.

Sometimes the best way forward is with a map, a compass, and a sense of adventure.

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Need custom maps, print-on-demand solutions, or mapping support for your next project?

At Maptown, we help organizations, businesses, publishers, and individuals bring geographic information to life. Whether you need a single custom map, large-format wall maps, specialized cartography, or ongoing mapping support, our team is ready to help.

✔️ Print-on-Demand Maps – Order exactly what you need, when you need it.
✔️ Custom Mapping – Tailored maps designed to meet your specific requirements.
✔️ Contract Mapping Services – Professional GIS, cartography, and mapping expertise available for short-term or long-term projects.
✔️ Projects of Any Size – From one-off requests to large-scale initiatives, no project is too big or too small.

With decades of mapping experience, Maptown delivers accurate, professional, and visually compelling mapping solutions that help our clients communicate, plan, and succeed.

If your project needs maps, we’re here to help.

📩 Contact us to discuss your mapping needs and discover how Maptown can support your next project.

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Looking for a map that does more than just show directions?
At MapTown, we specialize in helping adventurers, professionals, boaters, businesses, and outdoor enthusiasts find the maps they need.
✔️ Custom Maps – Designed specifically for your project, business, territory, emergency planning, or operational needs.
✔️ Print-on-Demand Topographic Maps – Need a specific Canadian topo map? We can print thousands of Canadian topographic maps on demand, helping you explore, plan, and navigate with confidence.
✔️ Nautical Charts – Stay prepared on the water with trusted marine navigation charts.
✔️ NOAA Charts – Available for U.S. coastal and inland waterways, providing detailed navigation information for recreational and commercial use.
Whether you’re hiking remote backcountry trails, planning a marine adventure, managing a project, or creating a custom mapping solution, MapTown has you covered.
📍 Proudly Canadian since 1989
🌎 Shipping across Canada and around the world
📧 [email protected]

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In a world dominated by GPS and smartphone navigation, topographic maps remain one of the most valuable tools for outdoor enthusiasts, professionals, and emergency planners.
A topographic (topo) map uses contour lines to show the shape and elevation of the land. The closer the contour lines are together, the steeper the terrain. The farther apart they are, the gentler the slope.
A topo map can help you:
✔ Plan hiking, camping, hunting, and backcountry adventures
✔ Identify mountains, valleys, ridges, and water features
✔ Navigate in areas without cell service or internet access
✔ Support search and rescue, emergency response, and field operations
✔ Understand terrain before you head into unfamiliar areas
Why carry a topo map when you have a phone?
Because batteries die. Devices break. Cell service disappears. A paper topo map never needs charging and won’t lose signal when you need it most.
At MapTown, we offer topographic maps for locations across Canada and the United States, available in paper, laminated, and waterproof formats. Whether you’re planning a weekend hike or a major field project, we can help you find the right map.
And yes... we ship worldwide.
From Calgary to Cape Town, Sydney to Seattle, and even Timbuktu, we’ll help get you mapped and ready for your next adventure.
[email protected]
MapTown.com
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